Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in My Sister’s Keeper, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Bodily Autonomy
Siblinghood
Parenthood
Control
Illness and Isolation
Summary
Analysis
Campbell talks to the reporters outside the courthouse, then heads to Judge DeSalvo’s chambers, where the judge asks him to explain the restraining order. Campbell explains that Julia witnessed Sara influencing Anna about the case, which he believes warrants a separation during the case’s duration. Julia arrives and, although she acknowledges that Anna is confused, she does not think it’s a good idea to separate her from her mother. Judge DeSalvo decides not to grant the restraining order but warns Sara that he will if she talks to Anna again, and he advises Sara to hire independent counsel. The meeting adjourns. Campbell, Sara, and Julia learn from Vern that Anna and Brian left.
The meeting with Judge DeSalvo ends with neither Campbell nor Sara looking particularly good. Campbell has filed his restraining order without consulting Anna, essentially robbing her of agency even more. Even so, Sara’s behavior of manipulating and pressuring Anna means that his decision is not entirely reasonable. During the meeting, Julia serves as a middle ground and moral compass, which allows Judge DeSalvo to push back against Sara’s behavior without splitting her household.
Themes
Julia tells Campbell she wants to talk to him, but she helps Sara leave the building out the back first. Judge nudges Campbell, who attempts to leave, but Julia confronts him about filing the restraining order. Campbell claims that he explained the alternatives to Anna, and Julia retorts that he can’t treat a 13-year-old girl like an adult client. She tells him that Anna told her she wants to give up on the petition, which Campbell wasn’t aware of, and explains that Anna doesn’t understand the gravity of a restraining order; she just wants the stress of the lawsuit to go away. Judge begins to whine. Campbell abruptly leaves and locks himself in a conference room, ignoring Julia as she bangs on the door.
Once again, Julia and Campbell butt heads over Anna, thus representing her different interests. Campbell feels that Sara’s influence is compromising his case, while Julia reminds him that Anna is more than a case to be won. Julia also indicts Campbell’s lack of communication with Anna by informing him that Anna has stated her intent to give up on her lawsuit. In this way, Julia highlights how, in attempting to coldly exert control over Campbell’s case, Campbell is actually losing control over it.
Themes
